Policy Hand Has Carved Out Prominent Role

Rep. Ryan's Ambitious Budget Blueprints Have Endeared Him to Conservative Leaders but Not Always to GOP Colleagues

By

Patrick O'Connor and

Janet Hook

Aug. 12, 2012 7:29 p.m. ET

Rep. Paul Ryan is making his first introduction to many Americans, but Washington knows him as a veteran congressman and policy hand who has spent more than two decades climbing to prominence.

The 42-year-old Wisconsin Republican arrived in Washington more than 20 years ago as a college intern and already has served in Congress for nearly 14 years. In that time, he has authored ambitious budget blueprints to revamp the pillars of the...